13.10.2016 7 0
Modern people began to treat tourism very carefully. If we make the first trip, as a rule, on emotions, then we plan the next one skillfully, with a certain experience. Of course, first of all, we strive to visit the most popular countries and fabulous places. New Zealand today has become very popular among experienced tourists, as there is something to see here, and recreation implies a unique opportunity to see the world with completely different eyes. Many tourists are primarily attracted by natural, pristine nature, historical, cultural and natural attractions. And this in New Zealand, more than enough. Naturally, before you go on a trip, take an interest in the climatic conditions and the possibilities of acquiring a full-fledged voucher with a number of excursion programs. Remember, your vacation should be planned and thoughtful, only then will you get a lot of positive emotions.
Almost the entire territory is located in the temperate zone, but the territory of the North Island is subtropics. As Zeeland has a maritime environment, the climate becomes cooler and strong winds are not uncommon. At the same time, it is safe to say that the climate here reigns quite mild, although sometimes there are minor fluctuations in temperature.
In Auckland, the warmest months are January and February, when the air temperature reaches 23 degrees Celsius. But in June-July it is quite cool here, the air temperature rarely exceeds 14 degrees Celsius.
It should be noted that there is almost never snow on the island, however, it happens very often on the tops of the volcano.
In the region of the Cook Strait, the climate is changing, becoming cooler. For example, in Wellington, the temperature in summer reaches only 20 degrees Celsius, and in winter the temperature does not exceed 8 degrees.
In New Zealand, freezing temperatures almost always reign, however, frosts are very rare. One of the main problems is strong winds that reign on the island all year round. Seaports, of which there are many on the island, suspend their work during the winds, as there is a likelihood of critical situations.
Here it must be said that a rather difficult, one might even say, harsh climate reigns over the South Island. Snow and glaciers do not melt here even in summer, in Dunedin the summer temperature rises to plus 18 degrees, in winter - up to plus eight. But at night there are often very significant frosts. So, as you can see, the climate here is changeable, quite difficult.
As we have already said, the winds reign here almost all year round. Westerly winds prevail. There are often very strong and cold winds that can even cut down trees. The heterogeneity of the relief provokes a frequent change in wind direction.
Precipitation in New Zealand falls extremely unevenly, all due to strong winds. So, on windless slopes, precipitation falls ten times more than in those places where winds are very frequent.
On the island, the weather is considered stable, while, it should be noted that there is a clean atmosphere.
If you decide to take a trip around the island, be sure to bring your sunglasses. Since the abundance sun rays it is very difficult to transfer without glasses, especially in the first days of travel. You should also bring sunscreen and a hat with you.
New Zealand is the most ecologically clean country on the planet, the land of green hills and the miracle kiwi bird. A country where the north is warmer than the south. Where the sun goes counterclockwise towards sunset. The country that Jules Verne described in The Children of Captain Grant, and Peter Jackson showed in the movie The Lord of the Rings.
New Zealand is located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean on large islands (North, otherwise White, and South), separated by the Cook Strait. It is completely surrounded on all sides by water spaces and has no land borders with other countries. In addition to the large islands, New Zealand also covers great amount small (about 700), most of which are uninhabited. The largest of them are Stuart, Auckland, Antipodean Islands, Campbell, Bounty, Three Kings, Kermadec Island and Chatham Archipelago.
New Zealand's closest neighbor, Australia, is 1,700 kilometers away, across the Tasman Sea. On the north side, the island territories of New Caledonia, the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Fiji are adjacent.
The capital of New Zealand, Wellington, is located in the south of the North Island. The largest cities, the territorial scale of which is inferior to the capital, are Hamilton, Auckland, Christchurch. Auckland is the largest in terms of population, with three times as many people as in the capital.
The population of New Zealand mainly communicates in English, a small part of the population - in the language of the Aboriginal Maori, of which there are 15% in the country. The Maori language is incredible and seemingly impossible with its pronunciation. Nevertheless, every tourist will surely utter words in the Maori language more than once, because the vast majority of place names in New Zealand sound in it.
Capital |
Wellington |
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Population |
4.4 million people |
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Population density |
16.0 people / km² |
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English, Maori, sign language |
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Religion |
freedom of religion |
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Form of government |
a constitutional monarchy |
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New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Domain zone on the Internet |
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Electricity |
240 V, 50 Hz, Type I sockets (AS 3112) |
Climate and weather
New Zealand is characterized by suddenly changeable weather, as they say, all four seasons in one day. Rain and sun replace each other several times a day. Thanks to this, there is always a feeling of freshness in the air, and light snow-white clouds always float in the sky.
The air temperature is relatively uniform throughout the year. It is neither very hot nor very cold here, with the exception of mountainous regions - there the air temperature sometimes drops to -2 ° C and sometimes up to -12 ° C... Precipitation in the mountains is exclusively snowy. And the glaciers of the western slope go down almost to the Tasman Sea itself.
Summer in New Zealand lasts from January to February, these are the warmest months of the year, the air temperature at this time + 20 ... + 30 ° C. The further south you travel across the country, the lower the temperature will be. The coldest month is July, when the air temperature drops to + 8 ... + 10 ° C on the North Island, and before + 3 ... + 6 ° C on the South.
Despite the fact that the temperature conditions are quite moderate, you should be afraid of ultraviolet rays here, especially from September to April from 10 am to 4 pm, even in the shade.
Nature
The nature of New Zealand is associated with a certain perfection, purity and innocence of the surrounding beauty. These are preserved intact forests, shaggy green hills and snow-white mountain peaks, crystal clear mountain lakes, healing geysers, transparent rivers. This is a number of unique and exotic places donated to the people of New Zealand by the mysterious and unpredictable nature.
The most beautiful place in New Zealand is the Bay of Islands (Bay of Islands), which is located on the northeastern coast of the North Island indented by bays and bays. This is a bay with 150 small islands. Many dolphins, huge marlins and even whales can be seen in the bay.
The unique site of the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonders in the Taupo volcanic zone of the North Island - "Pool with champagne". The abundant emissions of carbon dioxide make the spring water look like sparkling wine.
Surprisingly picturesque is the largest lake in New Zealand, Taupo, located in the crater of a once extinct volcano.
Fiordland National Park is the largest in the world. Fiordland has 14 fjords, the most spectacular of which is Milford Sound.
There are endless examples of stunning places in New Zealand. This is the popular Mount Cook Park, and the Tongariro volcano throwing out colorful smoke, and the Abel Tasman National Park with gorgeous golden beaches, and the Waitomo Firefly Cave. And the most real miracle of nature is the Rotorua Valley of Geysers, every traveler considers it his duty to visit there.
sights
Undoubtedly, the main attraction of the country is its unique nature. National parks on the North Island: Urevera, Wanganui, Egmont, Tongariro. National parks on the South Island: Fiordland(the largest park in the country), Arthur's Pass, Abel Tasman, Paparoa, Nelson Lakes, Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Kaurangi, Westland... However, there is much more to see in New Zealand besides the beauties of nature.
In Auckland, you can walk through the unique ocean aquarium with huge predatory fish, rotate on the 328-meter television tower, visit the exclusive architecture tree restaurant.
In Wellington, see a huge block-sized wooden building or get lost among the many beautiful buildings on Cuba Street... You can ride a cable car over the city by tram.
You can visit the city of Napier, the only city in the world built in the style of the 30s of the XX century. You can plunge into the neo-Gothic architecture of buildings in the city of Dunedin, walk in it along the steepest (35-40 degrees) street.
New Zealand has many museums, cathedrals and churches, beautiful botanical gardens. The Maori people with painted faces, rituals and dances of ancient tribes will also impress you.
Trilogy fans "Lord of the Rings" can visit the filming locations in the vicinity Hamilton(Hobbiton) Taupo, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Nutrition
The most popular New Zealand dish is fish and deep-fried potatoes. Fish is presented in the New Zealand diet quite often, which is quite explainable by the geographic location of the country, in addition, due to its remoteness from other countries, the cuisine of New Zealand was formed in conditions of a limited food base during a whole historical stage, and fish and seafood have always been here.
Modern New Zealand is one of the leading producers of meat and dairy products in the world. Therefore, the basis of a significant share of culinary creations is lamb, pork and beef. These are natural steaks and roast beefs garnished with potatoes. New Zealanders have their own potatoes, the local variety is called "kumara" and has a sweetish taste.
A very peculiar dish is the traditional meat pie, such pies, except in New Zealand, are still common only in neighboring Australia.
The traditional dessert is Pavlova's cake, baked like a meringue and garnished with fruit and whipped cream. The largest Pavlova cake was prepared in Hawk Bay by students of the Oriental Institute of Technology in 2005, its length was 64 meters.
From alcoholic drinks New Zealanders prefer beer. It is one of the best quality in the world in New Zealand.
Accommodation
Due to the territorial remoteness of New Zealand, the cost of living in it is quite high in comparison with the countries of Europe and the United States. However, hotel prices are moderate here.
There are about 270 hotels in the country, they are scattered throughout the North and South Islands. The majority of hotels are concentrated in large cities. During the peak season (January-February), they are as busy as possible (New Zealanders themselves love to relax in exotic places), so it is better to worry about booking places in advance. The country offers both high-quality expensive hotel service and much cheaper.
Inexpensive hotels ($ 16-23) are mainly located in rural areas, with only water and toilet facilities. There are many hotels of well-known large international chains in cities. Areas are considered prestigious in Auckland Remuera, Cochimarama, Parnell, Ponsonby.
A double room in a 3-star hotel in Wellington costs $ 90-100 per night, in Auckland it's $ 60-80. The same room in a 5-star hotel will cost $ 140-150 and $ 160-180, respectively.
In addition to hotels, hospitable New Zealand offers accommodation in hostels or campgrounds. You can also rent an apartment.
A one-room apartment in a decent area will cost between $ 600-800 per month. Three-room apartment - $ 1500-2000. Most often, a prepayment of two weeks is required.
Entertainment and recreation
In New Zealand, the most popular tourist attractions include:
- hiking (hiking);
- kayaking and rafting (water tourism);
- diving (underwater tourism);
- alpine skiing, snowboarding and freestyle.
Hiking New Zealand offers in each of its tourist centers throughout the country.
Kayaking - in the Bay of Islands, Marlborough Sound and numerous other bays and fjords. Very often, the company of vacationers is made up of dolphins, these friendly sea satellites emerge to the surface of the water and accompany tourists. Those wishing to try their hand at rowing will be able to swim on Maori waka canoes on the Wanganui River or on the country's lakes, such as Taupo. Fans of more extreme water tourism (rafting) will find mountain rivers. On the South Island, for example, it is Kawarau, Kluta. In the North - Mohaka, Reinjitaiki and others.
Diving can be done all year round. There are hundreds of stunning dive sites here. Among them: Bay of Islands, Fjordland Fjords, Flay Bay, Orongate Bay, Plenty Bay, Southeast Akaroa Harbor, Stewart Island, Kareva Island, Mautokhora other.
The imposing mountain range of the Southern Alps is replete with ski centers.
The country hosts many colorful and exciting events and shows: the Arts Festival, festivals of fireworks, jazz, flowers, food and drinks, various carnivals and parades (for example, in 2006 there was a parade titled "Tits on Motorcycles" - a parade of porn stars), an air show , auto show and others.
Purchases
New Zealand is renowned for its high quality wool and woolen products. The composition of New Zealand wool yarn does not always include only merino wool, often Argentines add opossum wool. New Zealand wool is renowned for its elasticity and firmness. Warm soft natural blankets "with a soul" will warm you in any bad weather, and will also become a wonderful gift brought from New Zealand. You can also buy woolen slippers, blouses, mittens, hats here.
New Zealand jewelry and cosmetic products with mineral mud, seaweed, and salts are also popular.
If we talk about souvenirs, then the most common souvenir is, of course, a figurine of a kiwi bird.
A lot of souvenirs are made by the Maori tribes. These are decorated wooden masks, jewelry made of colored shells, weapons of an ancient tribe.
Transport
You need to get to New Zealand, of course, by plane. The most convenient way to fly is via Dubai, Tokyo or Hong Kong. The main hospitable airport in the country is the Auckland airport, which is confidently on the list of the best airports in the world. The annual flow of passengers here is about 13 million. In total, New Zealand has about 30 airports to which there are regular flights. With all the small airports and helipads, this figure rises to 207.
To travel around the country, you can use air transport, or you can use intercity buses. Comfortable cars equipped with air conditioning systems, toilets and communication facilities operate on the routes. The cost of tickets is quite high, for example, a ticket from Auckland to Wellington costs about $ 100. However, large shipping companies have a very attractive system of discounts and benefits, when it is possible to receive a discount of up to 50%. Small local companies provide transportation services at a slightly cheaper rate. In any case, it is advisable to book tickets in advance.
V Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Hamilton, Invercagrill city buses run.
For those who like to move independently, car rental is offered, taxis are ubiquitous.
There are three ferries between the North and South Islands, with several daily flights from Wellington to Picton. A one-way ferry ticket costs $ 60-90. If you wish, you can order transportation by boat. There is sea transport and ports in Auckland, Christchurch, Napier, New Plymouth, Whangarei.
Connection
The main mobile operators in New Zealand are Telecom and Vodafone. There is also an operator called 2 ° (2degrees), whose services are cheaper. Operators work with GSM, UMTS and CdmaOne formats. Mobile communication in the country leaves much to be desired due to the mountainous landscape. SMS messages sometimes come with a delay.
The cost of services of mobile operators is high, especially between different operators (up to $ 1 per minute).
As for conventional telephony, there are a large number of public telephones in New Zealand cities. Telephone cards are available at all newsstands and beyond.
In terms of internet access, New Zealand's 3G internet access resources are too limited, which makes it expensive too. However, Internet access can be obtained in McDonalds restaurants and a number of other cafes and restaurants, in public libraries, in hotels, in student dormitories.
Security
New Zealand is one of the safest, safest and most peaceful countries on the planet, second only to Iceland and ahead of Japan. Even despite the fact that it is one of the most armed countries in the world, a third of the population has weapons (both hunting and military - from members of the Pistol Club). But still, crimes with the use of weapons are extremely rare here. The people are extremely friendly and the crime rate is low. The most common crime is theft.
Smoking in public places is prohibited. Drugs are prohibited. Alcohol is allowed to be sold to persons over 18 years of age. Also, only from 18 years old, spray paint is sold here. And the fine for graffiti ranges from $ 160 to $ 1600.
From urgent telephone numbers you should know number 111. It is the same for all urgent cases of life, this number should be used to call the police, ambulance, fire brigade. Information service - 018.
Business climate
New Zealand is a "noble lady" and a "humble shepherdess" rolled into one.
There is a huge amount of pastures on the territory of the country. Livestock breeding and agricultural production in general are very well developed here. Describing this in numbers, we can say that 4.4 million New Zealanders have 65 million sheep (an average of 15 sheep per person) and 25 million cows and deer (an average of 6 cows and 6 deer per person).
The country has a unique Hukarawnpark farm for growing huge palm-sized shrimps, as well as a Honeyhive bee farm.
The main industrial exhibitions held in the country touch on agricultural topics, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, food production and packaging for them, energy and wind power plants, biotechnology, handicrafts and others.
A little about taxation. In New Zealand, it is possible to carry out business in various forms of entrepreneurial activity. Income tax is mainly 33%, for foreign branches - 38%, for private entrepreneurs - 39%. Dividends from foreign shareholders are taxed at 15%.
Real estate
Foreigners can purchase real estate in New Zealand, but it does not grant them the right to permanently reside in the country. The Foreign Investment Department is also considering the acquisition of land plots, coastal areas, islands and lakes.
The cost of the acquisition procedure is approximately 4-6% of the value of the property itself, these are registration fees, legal fees, fees to real estate agents and taxes deducted from sales.
New Zealand real estate sales peaked in 2001-2007. Then real estate prices jumped by 94% (66% after adjusting for inflation). To date, prices are only 5.7% below their peak.
Buy an ordinary house with three bedrooms, for example, in the northern part of New Zealand, just north of the city of Auckland, from $ 145,000. In the city of Auckland itself, you can buy a three-bedroom apartment in a small house in the southeastern part of the city for the same price. Homes with six or more bedrooms with a pool and garage can cost anywhere from $ 400,000 to $ 2 million or more.
New Zealand has strict sanitary and veterinary controls. Luggage is often inspected by hand. The customs office is often required to show return tickets. Import and export of currency is not limited.
It is more profitable to exchange currency at airports.
Street names are only shown at intersections, so watch carefully before you wander into the middle of a long street.
SMS in New Zealand is called "text"- txt. In English, a request for an SMS message will look something like this: "Txt me, please". For Russian emigrants it sounds: "text me."
Smoking is expensive in New Zealand. A pack of cigarettes starts at $ 13. Also, English dictionaries are much more expensive here, so it's better to take them with you.
In case of nostalgia for Russian speech, turn it on on Tuesdays Radio Planet on 104.6 FM at 18:35 and listen "Russian Leisure".
A few Maori phrases: Kia ora- Hey, Kei te pehea koe?- how are you?, Tino pai- very good, Ka kite ano- see you later!
Visa information
Citizens of all countries other than the British Commonwealth need a visa to travel to New Zealand.
Citizens of the Russian Federation to open a visa should contact the New Zealand Embassy in Moscow, as well as its representative offices in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok. For them, a visitor visa to New Zealand will be free.
In addition to the guest visa, there is also a work, student and transit visa, for each of which there is a consular fee.
Direct submission of documents and the opening of visas is carried out at the visa center at the address in Moscow: st. Bolshaya Molchanovka, 30/7. Contact phone: (+7 495) 697 03 56.
Amber johnston
New Zealand brief climate description
Weather in New Zealand depends on the following factors Marine - mild winter climate. Mild, no dry season, warm summer. Average temperature for all months is below 22 ° C (72 ° F). At least four months with an average temperature above 10 ° C (50 ° F). All year round evenly distributed rainfall.The hottest month is January when the maximum temperature is about 23 ℃ (73 ℉). Usually the fifth week is the hottest. But remember the rain. Coldest month - August... This month the temperature could even be 8 ℃ (46 ℉) at night! In the second week, you should wear your warmest clothing. And get ready for rain and fog.
New Zealand weather conditions throughout the year
New Zealand is a country in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, rich in natural beauty and a variety of bird species that cannot be seen anywhere else. The climate of New Zealand is temperate. In the north of the country, winters are mild, while in the south they are quite cold. Generally, there is no extreme heat or cold in the north. In the eastern regions, drought often occurs in summer. The average temperature does not exceed 30 ℃ (86 ℉), and in higher inland regions may drop below 0 ℃ (32 ℉). The relative humidity and average rainfall in the west is higher than in the east, due to the influence of north-south mountain ranges and west-northwest winds. On average, about 2000 hours of sun shine here a year. The climate is influenced by westerly winds, especially on the western side of the ocean, with mild winters and mild summers, with high rainfall. Average annual rainfall varies from city to city. The wettest are the western slopes of the New Zealand Alps (3000 to 5700 mm). The eastern slopes are mostly dry (in the Canterbury Valley 500-750 mm, Dunedin 920 mm). The extreme southern part of the South Island has a subantarctic foggy and cold oceanic climate, while the extreme northern part of the Auckland Peninsula (with dry summers and subtropical crops) has Mediterranean climate characteristics (in August, the temperature in Auckland is about 11 ℃ (52 ℉), and in February 20 ℃ (67 ℉)).Weather in New Zealand influenced by Marine - Mild winter climate. Mild without dry seasons, warm summers. The average temperature of all months is below 22 ° C (72 ° F). At least four months with an average temperature of over 50 ° F (10 ° C). Rainfall is uniform throughout the year.
New Zealand is in its own way a mysterious and very remote from Europe state in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, located on two large islands, simply called the North and South, and about seven hundred other small islets. New Zealand is, in fact, a country of mystery and a tasty morsel for lovers of exotic travel. The state, due to its geographical location, is somewhat isolated from the rest of the world. The closest major neighbor of New Zealand is Australia, which is located “some” 1,700 kilometers away and is separated by the Tasman Sea. Also, among the neighboring states, it is worth mentioning New Caledonia, to which about 1400 kilometers, as well as Tonga and Fiji (1800 and 1900 km, respectively). The area of the country, taking into account all the islands, is 268 680 square meters. kilometers. The population of the country is not very large - 4,414,400 people. The capital is Wellington with a population of 393,400. The country's currency is the New Zealand dollar. There are two official languages - English and Maori.
The South and North islands are separated from each other by the Cook Strait, and of the seven hundred other islands, the largest ones can be distinguished - Stuart, Auckland, Kermadec, Bounty Islands, Antipodes, Campbell and others. The total length of the country's coastline is 15,134 kilometers. The largest island in New Zealand is the South Island with an area of 151,215 sq. kilometers, through which the Southern Alps ridge stretches with the highest point of the country - Mount Cook (3754 meters). The east of the island is mostly covered with agricultural plains. The western part is more famous for its glaciers, fjords and numerous natural beauties, so there is a low population density, which cannot be said about the area of national parks. Despite the fact that the North Island is slightly smaller (115 77 sq. Km), it is here that b O Most of the population of New Zealand due to the flat landscape and many convenient harbors and bays. Although there are serious mountains here, such as the Ruapehu volcano with a height of 2797 meters. In the middle of the island is the largest lake in the whole country, Lake Taupo, from which the main river of the country, the Waikato, 425 kilometers long, originates. The rest of the natural attractions of New Zealand are best found on the South Island.
Politically, New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a clear parliamentary structure. At the same time, as such, the Constitution of New Zealand does not exist, but there is only a number of constitutional laws adopted at one time or another. At the same time, the country, together with the Cook Islands and Niuzh, as well as Tokelau and the Antarctic territory of Ross, forms the Kingdom of New Zealand, whose monarch is now Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. At the same time, the queen has no real power in the country, and her representative on the island is the governor-general, who is appointed on average every 5 years. The governor-general is, in essence, the guarantor of constitutional rights in the country and usually oversees the work of parliament, sometimes acting in accordance with the initiatives of the prime minister or the queen herself. The New Zealand Parliament consists of a Governor General and an electoral House of Representatives. The leader of the party that wins the majority in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister. The executive power in the country is the responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers, who are also members of the House of Representatives.
In the Middle Ages, New Zealand was inhabited by the Polynesian Maori and Moriori tribes, and the first Europeans, represented by the expedition of Abel Tasman, appeared here in 1642. However, the expedition did not have much influence, since it took another century for the Europeans to begin the development of the island. Contacts with local tribes often led to bloodshed. The exploration of the island by the famous British navigator James Cook is considered to be the beginning of the development. Conflicts over land division continued until the early 20th century, when Prime Minister Seddon and Maori politician James Carroll managed to resolve most of the controversies. In the 20th century, New Zealand developed in line with Western democratic trends, while actively participating in activities aimed at protecting the territory of Oceania. However, in the end, in 1987, New Zealand became the first country to officially proclaim itself a nuclear-free zone.
Current time in Wellington:
(UTC +13)
How to get there
How to get to New Zealand is perhaps the main question that should arise in a traveler's head. Situated on the outskirts of the world, a country without any outstanding cultural, financial or tourist centers is rarely the subject of intense visitor attention. Nevertheless, visiting New Zealand is a separate pleasure and a separate bonus to being a true traveler. So in this case, you should find out how it is easier to get into this mysterious country.
Naturally, this should be done by plane. The main air gateway to New Zealand is the airport of the country's largest city, Auckland, which in recent years has consistently been included in the lists of the best airports in the world. Auckland Airport accounts for 70 percent of all international passenger traffic, with an estimated 13 million passengers a year. In total, more than 20 airlines use the airport services, including American Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, China Airlines, Emirates, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and others. Thus, you can fly directly from Russia to New Zealand only with a transfer at one of the major Asian hubs - Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur or Tokyo.
The most convenient flight options from Russia to New Zealand (Auckland airport):
- Cathay Pacific: from Moscow via Hong Kong
- JAL: from Moscow via Tokyo (Narita airport)
- Korean Air: from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Irkutsk and Vladivostok via Seoul
- Singapore Airlines: from Moscow via Singapore
- Emirates: from Moscow and St. Petersburg via Dubai, with landings in one of three Australian cities (Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney)
The airports of Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and Rotorua also receive various international flights, although not to the same extent as the airport in Auckland.
The most logical option is to cover both New Zealand and Australia in one trip, which will greatly simplify the flight, since there are a considerable number of direct flights from the Green Continent to New Zealand cities. For example, the main air carrier of the island state Air New Zealand flies between the largest Australian cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and others, and the largest New Zealand ones - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Also, the budget option for flights between Australia and New Zealand is the flights of the Australian carriers Virgin Australia and the Pacific company Jetstar, which is headquartered in Melbourne. When departing from New Zealand, you will have to pay a special tax of 20-25 New Zealand dollars (the exact amount depends on the airport). Children under 12 years old are exempt from it, but at Wellington airport they pay $ 10.
Visa
To enter New Zealand, citizens of the Russian Federation need a visa. If the purpose of the trip is tourism or a trip to visit relatives or friends, then an entry visa is required. Holders of this visa cannot work or do business in the country. Read more about the requirements for a New Zealand visa in the article "Visa to New Zealand" on our website.
Customs regulations
In New Zealand, there are rather strict customs rules, primarily regarding sanitary control. Regarding currency, for example, there are no such rules - its import and export is not limited.
But New Zealand customs cannot be imagined without the most thorough examination of all citizens arriving or leaving the country, their luggage, as well as all postal parcels and goods imported into the country. New Zealand (as well as neighboring Australia) has very strict sanitary and veterinary controls with the latest screening equipment and specially trained dogs. Luggage is often inspected manually. Also, customs often require you to show return tickets, bank cards, etc.
A maximum of 50 cigarettes or cigars can be brought into New Zealand duty-free from the age of 17. This is equivalent to 50 grams of tobacco. As for alcohol, here you can import a maximum of 4 and a half liters of wine or beer, a liter of spirits or even pure alcohol, as well as personal goods for a maximum amount of NZ $ 700. More information about New Zealand customs regulations - on the corresponding website. Violation of these rules will result in a fine of between NZ $ 400 and NZ $ 1,000.
It is strictly forbidden to import into the country any narcotic substances, any food products, including canned food, plants, all kinds of items of plant and animal origin, all types of weapons, animal feed, beekeeping products and such exotic goods as rhino horns, tiger skins, elephant tusks etc. In addition, there are rather strict prohibitions on the import of medicinal products, if there are no special prescriptions from a doctor. Examples include hypnotics, sedatives, drugs for the cardiovascular system, various types of vaccines. From Russia, as a country with weak veterinary control, it is prohibited to import into New Zealand all types of pets, unless they have passed a six-month quarantine in one of the "reliable" countries. In the case of Russia, the UK is the best option. Upon arrival, it will be necessary to present a certificate of the passage of such a quarantine. It is strictly forbidden to export state-protected plants and animals from the country. The same goes for leather goods, animal bones, coral and bird feathers.
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Climate and weather in New Zealand
Climatic conditions in New Zealand are quite different on the two main islands. If the North Island is dominated by a subtropical and rather mild climate, then the South Island is located, in fact, in the temperate zone, where it can be very cool. In addition, an important climatic factor in the South is the ridge of the Southern Alps, because of which the winds blowing from the west cannot reach the flat part of the island, turning the east of the island into the driest part of the country. Most of the small islands located in the Tasman Sea have a tropical climate due to the warm East Australian Current passing here.
Precipitation falls fairly evenly throughout the year, with a slight decrease in its level in the summer months. The average level is 600-1600 millimeters per year. The average annual temperature depends on the island: on the South it is a little more than +10, on the North - in the region of +16. As you know, in the southern hemisphere, the winter months are June, July and August, so July has been honored to be the coldest month in New Zealand. It is especially cold in winter in the mountainous regions of the South Island. It is warmest on the islands in January and February, which are equivalent to our July and August. The annual temperature range in the country's largest city, Auckland and the capital Wellington, is approximately 30 degrees, with the lowest temperatures around zero and the highest around +30.
Weather in New Zealand
WellingtonCities and regions
The territory of New Zealand is divided into 17 districts. 9 of them are located on the North Island, 7 on the South Island, and one on the Chatham Archipelago. Each of the districts has its own interesting specifics, and, for example, the northern resort areas are strikingly different from the south with its temperate and sometimes even harsh climate. However, at the same time, New Zealand remains itself everywhere - a mysterious country with unique nature and culture at the junction of European and island civilizations, which is alive and well to this day.
Northland
Surrounded by a whole "complex" of beautiful extinct volcanoes, Auckland is perhaps the most picturesque city in Polynesia, in which, following the precepts of multiculturalism, several cultural traditions, such as European, Asian and Polynesian, are mixed at once. Moreover, the city is often considered the unofficial capital of the whole of Polynesia, as it is home to the world's largest Polynesian community. The city is located in a very picturesque place, where, in addition to about 50 volcanoes, there are three beautiful bays, the Hanui mountain ranges in the southeast and Waitaker in the west. Auckland is located on a rather narrow isthmus between Manger Bay on the Tasman Sea side and Tamaki Strait and Hauraki Bay on the Pacific side. This is partly the uniqueness of the city, because it has access to two seas at once. At the same time, it is worth noting the convenience of both bays of Auckland - the southern Manuaca Bay and the northern Waitemata, across each of which is thrown over a bridge. You can read more about the city here.
Waikato
The capital of the Waikato region, Hamilton is located 130 kilometers south of Auckland and is the 4th largest metropolitan area in New Zealand. The total population of the city is 143,000 people, and with the suburbs it reaches more than 203 thousand people. Initially, the city developed as the center of an agricultural region, but in recent times declares itself as a promising scientific, technical and educational center, which only increases its popularity and, accordingly, the influx of population. The city was founded by the British in 1864, and already in 1867 the railway from Auckland reached it. In the XX century, the city grew steadily and reached its present size. Which, of course, are not very large, which does not prevent Hamilton from living a rich cultural life. Various events are held here, such as the Soundscape Music Festival, as well as some sporting events. You can read more about the city.
Bay of Plenty
Bay of plenty is translated from English as the Bay of Plenty. This area received such a name during the voyages of James Cook, whose team was very warmly received by the local tribes. Located in the northern part of the island, this region is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and in the depths there are many natural beauties, including the geysers that have turned the Bay of Plenty and, in particular, the city of Rotorua into one of the main tourist centers of the country. The capital of the region is the city of Tauranga, whose population is 111 thousand people. All in all, the Bay of Plenty has about 260,000 inhabitants.
The most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, Tauranga was founded by Europeans in the early 19th century, although it did not receive city status until 1963. The city seems to frame the port, although at the same time there are very good beaches. In addition, Tauranga has earned itself fame as the capital of the kiwi fruit, which has become the unofficial symbol of New Zealand. The city is known more for its landscapes than for any cultural dominants like museums, so it is not surprising that it is quite popular with outdoor enthusiasts, primarily surfers, kitesurfers, kayakers and divers. You can read more about the city.
Located 60 kilometers south of the capital of the region on the shores of the lake of the same name, the city of Rotorua with a population of 56 thousand people is one of the main tourist centers of the country and the most beautiful thermal resort. Maori settled in this area since ancient times, and the first Europeans appeared only in the 20s of the XIX century. In 1883, it was decided to develop the site as a spa resort, declaring it a "special area" and soon connecting it to Auckland by rail and express train. It was a very far-sighted decision to focus on the tourism component of the region, and today Rotorua with its geysers, mud baths and thermal springs is considered a very popular holiday destination for both New Zealanders and visitors to the country. You can read more about the city.
Gisborne
The capital of the Hawke's Bay region, located in the southeastern part of the bay of the same name, 18 kilometers north of another important city in the region - Hastings, which is often referred to as the "twin city" of Napier. The population of Napier is only 58 600 people (2010), however, despite this, the city is of great economic importance, since there is both an airport and a seaport, which, for example, is not observed in Hastings. Napier has long acquired the significance of a very interesting place from a tourist point of view, with a large concentration of curious old buildings built in the first half of the 20th century in the then fashionable Art Deco style. You can read more about the city.
Wellington
Named in 2011 by the authoritative portal LonelyPlanet “the coolest little capital in the world”, Wellington tries to fully justify this title and many others, which it is awarded every year by various organizations, ratings and magazines. As the capital of the state, Wellington is the seat of the New Zealand Parliament and Cabinet of Ministers. Also, most of the diplomatic missions of foreign states are located here. Despite its status as a political center, Wellington is also known as a city with the richest (considering its size) cultural life, including permanent exhibitions, art festivals and much more. You can read more about the city.
Marlborough
The very first city on the South Island, Nelson was founded in 1841 thanks to the activities of the New Zealand Company, and the settlement received its name in honor of the famous Admiral Nelson. Within the city limits there are several good beaches and a port, safely sheltered by an amazing 13 km long natural stone strip called Boulder Bank. In order for ships to enter the bay formed by this strip, it was necessary to make a kind of cut with a width of 150 meters in it. Port of Nelson is perhaps the most amazing in all of New Zealand. Several beautiful national parks are located around the city, first of all, Abel Tasman National Park, and in addition to it, the national parks of Kaurang and, Nelson Lakes, which makes the Nelson region even more attractive. By the way, it is in Nelson on the top of a hill in the center of the city that the New Zealand point Zero is located - the geographical center of the country, marked by a strange sculptural composition. You can read more about the city.
Tasman
The second most populous city in New Zealand and the largest city in the South Island. In total, about 390,000 people live in Christchurch. Located near the confluence of the Avon River into the Pacific Ocean, the city is considered the main economic, cultural and educational center of the island. Of particular importance is the seaport of Christchurch and the presence of an international airport. You can read more about the city.
West Coast
The second largest city in the South Island, Dunedin, with a population of approximately 116,500 inhabitants, is considered one of the most important cities in New Zealand from a cultural and historical point of view. Dunedin is located in the area of the Otago Peninsula and the harbor, which is the main port of the region. The port area itself and its suburbs are located nearby on the remains of a former volcano. The city is known primarily as a large educational center headed by two universities - the University of Otago and the Polytechnic University. At the same time, the share of young people among the urban population is really considerable - over 20 percent. The University of Otago is the oldest in the entire country, founded in 1869. You can read more about the city.
The third largest city of Otago with a population of 10 and a half thousand inhabitants and at the same time one of the main tourist centers of the whole country. Queenstown is located closer to the west of the region, in the foothills of the Southern Alps. It is built around a picturesque fiord called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu. This mountain lake, stretching in the shape of a Z, was formed by the melting of glaciers from the surrounding area, the views of which from Queenstown are truly stunning. There are several more beautiful lakes in the Queenstown area, in particular, Lake Javea and Wanaka. The climate in Queenstown is quite peculiar - here the summer can be very hot (up to +30), but winters are sometimes harsh. The city is in the shade of rain, so there is not as much rainfall as on the east coast. You can read more about the city.
Southland
The capital of Southland and the commercial center of the entire region, Invercargill also holds the title of New Zealand's most southwestern city. Surrounded by farmlands and national parks, the city of 52,500 is not particularly touristy. For the most part, busy with commercial and educational activities, the city does not offer its guests any significant attractions, but serves as an excellent launching pad for travels deep into the tourist interesting region. You can read more about the city.
Chatham Islands
Considered a separate region of New Zealand, the Chatham Archipelago is located nearly 800 kilometers to the east from the South Island. It consists of 10 islands, only two of which are inhabited - these are the largest islands of the archipelago, Chatham and Pitt. In total, about 650 people live on both islands, belonging to three ethnic groups - Europeans, Maori and Moriori, and in the latter, in the middle of the 19th century, they were subjected to the most brutal genocide by the Maori, which is remembered to this day. The locals are mainly engaged in fishing and farming, but more and more tourists come here looking for adventure in such remote corners of the world as this Archipelago.
What to see
National parks of New Zealand
New Zealand's national parks are the country's main treasury. People appeared on these islands only a thousand years ago, and even the arrival of Europeans did not have time to cause any significant damage to the unique nature of this country. On the contrary, today in New Zealand they monitor the preservation of natural monuments very carefully, and if you look at the map of the country, you can immediately see what a considerable percentage of the area is occupied by National Parks. There are 14 of them in total - 4 on the North Island, 9 on the South Island, and Rakiura National Park located on Stewart Island, just southeast of the South Island. Each park is unique in its own way and includes some "zest", for example, the majestic fjords of the Fiordland, the Taranaki volcano of the Egmont National Park or the Tongariro massif of the park of the same name.
National Parks of the North Island:
South Island National Parks:
- Fiordland (largest park in the country)
Where to go in New Zealand
sights
Museums and galleries
Parks and recreation areas
Leisure
Transport
Wellness holiday
Private guides in New Zealand
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with New Zealand in more detail.
The project Experts.Tourister.Ru is registered.
Things to do
Skiing
With an imposing mountain range like the Southern Alps, New Zealand could hardly have avoided the popularization of skiing and snowboarding. And, in fact, why would she do it? Today, the South Island, one might say, is replete with ski resorts of various levels of popularity and development, attracting many tourists every year - both foreign visitors and ordinary New Zealanders. For example, in the area of the tourist center of the South Island - Queenstown - there are excellent resorts The Remarkables and Coronet Park. Also in the Otago region, close to another popular destination, Wanaka City, are the very popular Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Park, a freestyle center. Cantebury ski centers include Temple Basin, Porters and Mt. Hutt. Otago and Cantebury are, without a doubt, the leading regions of the country in the field of alpine skiing, and if there is a desire to try the slopes of the mysterious country in the Southern Hemisphere, then it is worth going here.
Ski centers in New Zealand:
Hiking
Perhaps the most popular tourist attraction in New Zealand is hiking, which is also called tramping in this country. Due to the large number of National Parks and their natural beauty, as well as, in principle, the widespread development of ecotourism, hiking today attracts a huge number of people. All 14 New Zealand National Parks are in one way or another suitable for the needs of hikers, because each of them has a huge number of natural attractions that are carefully protected and therefore preserve their original appearance. They have all the necessary conditions for safe hiking, in particular, a considerable number of huts and holiday houses where you can take a breath or spend the night, as well as places for camping.
Each of the parks has special routes for travelers, most of which are several tens of kilometers long. They are united in a whole system of trails throughout the country, which is called the "Great Ways" - "Great Walks". Naturally, it is especially crowded here in the summer months, when the country is flooded with tourists and locals have a holiday season, and nature is especially magical.
The largest New Zealand cities - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Inverkagrill and Hamilton have their own city buses. In Auckland, bus routes mainly connect the downtown area with residential areas and suburbs. Bus operators are several companies at once, the main of which is NZ Bus. The fare varies depending on the length of the trip and the number of zones. Tickets should be purchased at kiosks. In general, the Auckland bus system is not well known due to the rather elderly bus fleet and frequent delays in the schedule. The bus system in Wellington is better developed and includes about a hundred routes, covering the entire metropolitan area. In Christchurch, buses also run to neighboring small towns. There is also a regular bus service to the airports in these cities.
Ferries
The South and North Islands are separated by the Cook Strait, through which three ferries run every day from Wellington to Picton - Arahuka, Aratikai and Kaitaki, owned by Interislander. All three ferries will provide passengers with excellent service - cafes, entertainment programs for children and adults, wi-fi, etc. Every day there are 5 flights from Wellington to Picton, and 6 flights in the opposite direction. 60-90 dollars. There is also a system of discounts, which, as well as other details, should be found out on this site.
Railway transport
Rail transport in New Zealand is rather poorly developed and is used much less frequently than buses. In total, the railway system with a length of 3898 kilometers consists of three main lines and seven minor ones, but at the same time many of them pass through very picturesque areas, so that a train trip can turn from an ordinary train into a kind of sightseeing one. In addition, traveling by train in some cases can be trite cheaper. There are several lines, whose trains are mainly intended for tourist trips. Information on routes and tickets can be found on the KiwiRail website.
Automobile transport
As in the former British colony, in New Zealand, traffic is left-hand, which can create some difficulties for domestic drivers. A total of 10,895 kilometers of highways (5,974 km in the North and 4,921 km in the South) have been built on the territory of the country, of which 170 are main roads. In addition to highways between small towns and villages, there are about 82,000 kilometers of simple roads, many of which, by the way, leave much to be desired. However, domestic motorists are clearly no strangers to this. Speed limit on the highway - 100 kilometers per hour; on ordinary roads - 50. In this case, you can easily come across signs limiting the speed at around 60, 70 or 80 kilometers per hour. By the way, distances are indicated in kilometers, so there is no need in your mind to translate everything into miles.
Culture
New Zealand culture is the result of a bizarre blend of Maori, European, Polynesian and Asian traditions that coexist peacefully alongside each other. The key moment in the history of the islands, of course, was the arrival of the British here, and different - the British, Scots, Irish, who have their own distinctive features. Together with them, writing and all the trends of Western culture came here. But at the same time, the Maori culture was preserved, and over time, people from the neighboring Polynesian islands and southeast Asia began to move to the country.
The official languages of New Zealand are English and Maori. If everything is clear enough with the culture of Europeans, then the Maori are probably a mystery to many tourists. Despite the influence of civilization, the religious traditions of the ancestors of modern Maori continue to be preserved. In particular, this is expressed in a commitment to traditional arts and crafts, for example, their dances, tattoos, the famous wood carving, etc. say, they documented important moments in the history of the tribe and, first of all, traditions. This art is still alive and in modern realities it is in good demand among tourists. As for tattoos applied to the body and face, they are called ta-moco and in the past served the purposes of social division. That is, the Maori who did not have tattoos belonged to the lower strata of the tribal society. Today's Maori continue the traditions of these tattoos, but, naturally, more for aesthetic purposes and as a tribute to the traditions of their people. Interestingly, these Maori tattoos can be found today among representatives of completely different ethnic groups.
Another element of Maori culture that has come down to us is the kapa haka dance, which is a combination of body movements, facial expressions, gestures, dance and singing itself. Moreover, there are several dance options, the most famous of which is male, since it is constantly performed by the New Zealand national rugby team before matches. This dance has become widespread in the country and is a constant attribute of all kinds of events and official ceremonies.
Kitchen
The cuisine of New Zealand is a separate story, in which European, Asian and Polynesian traditions are mixed, so that it is unique. Above all, the food here is distinguished by the use of locally sourced natural ingredients from forests, rivers, lakes and oceans, or grown and harvested here in New Zealand. Local food can taste different - spicy, fresh, refined, and the choice of dishes in any institution is quite large.
Traditional New Zealand foods - lamb, venison, salmon, lobsters, crayfish, a huge amount of fish and shellfish such as oysters, sweet potatoes, kiwi, tamarillo, etc. In addition, New Zealand is one of the main centers of winemaking in the Southern Hemisphere ...
All this variety of food, multiplied by multicultural culinary traditions, can be seen in many restaurants and cafes in Auckland, the most colorful city in the country. There are both chic restaurants with expensive high-class dishes and small lively eateries with varied, inexpensive and tasty food, so finding a place to your taste and budget is not a problem here. The situation is similar in Wellington - there are more establishments per capita here than in New York. Naturally, there were also top restaurants like Matterhorn, Logan Brown and Martin Bosley's Yacht Club Restaurant.
The restaurants "attached" to the vineyards, where you can always taste the best homemade wines, are especially fond of guests. Despite the emphasis on wine, the best of them often employ truly top-notch chefs. In others, they are simple local craftsmen, which in any case does not mean a gigantic loss of quality or taste.
It is easier to get acquainted with the classic New Zealand cuisine in inconspicuous, but solid establishments, where you can always taste, for example, a Kiwi burger made of beef, lamb and seafood or a simple barbecue. Fish and chips served wrapped in paper are very popular among New Zealanders. Kind of the New Zealand equivalent of a burger or kebab, a popular street food.
The Maori culinary traditions deserve special attention, with which you can get acquainted, in particular, during your holidays in Rotorua. This is, of course, hangi - a dish cooked in an earthen oven on hot stones and includes sweet potatoes, pumpkin, chicken, pork, lamb and seafood. Hangi is a traditional New Zealand flavor and also a favorite of the Maori tribe. Some Maori villages offer even more exotic dishes.
Purchases
New Zealand can hardly be called a shopping country. Rather, on the contrary - it is by no means famous for its shopping opportunities, while the name has a lot of advantages in other areas.
With regard to shopping, it should immediately be noted that in New Zealand there is a tax on goods and services, added to the cost. Here it is 12.5%, but in most stores it is already included in the total price, which avoids misunderstandings. There are places, though, where this could be otherwise agreed.
Tourists, of course, are big hunters for souvenir products, which are abundant here. Naturally, these are all kinds of figurines of the main symbol of the country - the kiwi bird. Also in particular demand are the traditional Maori crafts that can be purchased in the villages, such as wood and bone carving and embroidery. In addition, both the Maori and the Polynesians make many curious souvenirs from shells and other natural materials, the same tree.
Wool products are often brought from New Zealand, which here, due to developed agriculture and various crafts, is of very high quality. In particular, exotic opossum wool is added to many woolen items.
And, of course, it is difficult to do without traditional New Zealand wine, which is appreciated not only in this remote part of the planet, but in principle all over the world.
As for the opening hours of shops in cities, most of them are open from 9-00 to 17-00 on weekdays, although some have their own schedule. In resort areas, shops are open for a couple of hours longer.
Connection
Any traveler and tourist is always worried about the issue of communication in a particular country. Moreover, as far away as New Zealand. Although in this developed country, there are no particular difficulties with mobile communications or Internet access.
As for internet access, free wi-fi can be found in McDonald's restaurants, as well as in many other establishments in major cities - Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and others. These can be both cafes and restaurants and public libraries. Many hotels have access to the Internet - both paid and free. You can learn more about them.
As for simple telephone communication, there are many public telephones on the streets of New Zealand cities, for calls from which you need to purchase telephone cards sold at newsstands. In big cities like Auckland, there are machines where international bank cards are suitable for paying for telephone calls. In some places in the outback, payphones can accept coins.
The international dialing code for New Zealand is 64.
From a landline phone:
- from Russia to New Zealand you need to dial 8-10- (64) - (area code) - landline phone number
- from New Zealand to Russia you need to dial (00) -7- (area code) - landline phone number
From a mobile phone:
- from Russia to New Zealand dial + 64-subscriber number
- from New Zealand to Russia you need to dial + 7-subscriber's number
Codes of some cities
| Ashburton | 3 | Littleton | 3 | Tauranga | 7 |
| Gisborne | 6 | Nelson | 3 | Hamilton | 7 |
| Christchurch | 3 | Rotorua | 7 | Invercargill | 3 |
| Napier | 6 | Wellington | 4 | Masterston | 6 |
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New Zealand is located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean in the Polynesian Triangle in the central hemisphere of the water. The main territory of the country is made up of two islands with corresponding names - South Island and North Island. The South and North Islands are separated by the Cook Strait. In addition to the two main islands, New Zealand owns about 700 islands of a much smaller area, most of which are uninhabited.
The largest of these are Stewart Island, Antipodean Islands, Auckland Island, Bounty Islands, Campbell Islands, Chatham Archipelago and Kermadec Island. The total area of the country is 268,680 km2. This makes it slightly smaller than Italy or Japan, but slightly larger than the UK. The coastline of New Zealand is 15,134 kilometers.
The South Island is the largest island in New Zealand, with an area of 151,215 km2. The island is home to about one fourth of the country's population. Along the island from north to south stretches the ridge of the folded mountains of the Southern Alps, the highest peak of which is Mount Cook, another official name - Aoraki) with a height of 3754 meters. In addition to it, there are 18 more peaks on the South Island with a height of more than 3000 m. The eastern part of the island is more flat and is almost completely occupied by agricultural land. The western coast of the island is much less densely populated. Significant tracts of practically untouched nature with virgin flora and fauna have been preserved here. the western part is also famous for numerous national parks, fjords and glaciers descending from the slopes of the Southern Alps right into the Tasman Sea. The largest lake on the island is Te Anau (the second largest lake in New Zealand).
The North Island, with an area of 115,777 km2, is much less mountainous than the South Island, and is more convenient for creating settlements and seaports, which is why it lives on most of population and the largest cities of the country are located here. The highest point of the North Island is the active Ruapehu Volcano with a height of 2,797 meters. The northern island is distinguished by high volcanic activity: out of six volcanic zones in the country, five are located on it. In the heart of the North Island is Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. From it originates the Waikato River, which is 425 kilometers long, making it the longest river in New Zealand.
New Zealand is isolated from other islands and continents by great sea distances. The Tasman Sea washing it on the western coast separates the country from Australia by 1,700 km. The Pacific Ocean washes the eastern coast of the country and separates the country from its closest neighbors - in the north, from New Calendonia, by 1,000 km; in the east, from Chile, at 8700 km; and in the south of Antarctica at 2500 km.
The length of the coastal strip of New Zealand is 15,134 km. Territorial waters - 12 nautical miles. Exclusive Economic Zone - up to 200 nautical miles. The Maritime Exclusive Economic Zone is approximately 4,300,000 km2, 15 times the land area of the country. There are up to 700 small islands in the coastal waters of the country, most of them are located at a distance of up to 50 km from the main islands. Of the total, only about 60 are habitable or currently inhabited.
The relief of New Zealand is mainly represented by hills and mountains. More than 75% of the country's territory lies at an altitude of more than 200 m above sea level. Most of the mountains of the North Island do not exceed 1800 m. 19 peaks of the South Island are higher than 3000 m. The coastal zones of the North Island are represented by spacious valleys. There are fiords on the west coast of the South Island.
Geological structure of New Zealand
The islands that form New Zealand are located in the Cenozoic geosyclinal region between two lithospheric plates - the Pacific and Australian. For long historical periods, the place of the fault between the two plates has undergone complex geological processes that constantly change the structure and shape of the earth's crust. That is why, unlike most of the islands in the Pacific Ocean, the islands of New Zealand are formed not only as a result of volcanic activity, but also as a result of discharges and are composed of geological rocks of different compositions and ages.
Active tectonic activity in the earth's crust of this region continues at the present geological stage of the formation of our planet. And its results are noticeable even in a historically short period of time since the beginning of the exploration of the islands by Europeans. For example, as a result of the devastating earthquake of 1855, the coastline near Wellington rose by more than one and a half meters, and in 1931, also as a result of a strong earthquake near the city of Napier, about 9 km2 of land rose to the water surface.
The location of New Zealand is historically associated with active volcanic activity on its territory. Researchers suggest its beginning in the early Miocene, and the formation of modern zones of increased volcanic activity was completed in the late Pliocene. The largest volcanic eruptions, presumably, took place during the late Pliocene - early Pleistocene, when approximately 5 million cubic kilometers of rock could erupt onto the Earth's surface.
At the present stage, the zone of increased tectonic activity and the associated high number of earthquakes is the western coast of the South Island and the northeastern coast of the North Island. The annual number of earthquakes in the country is up to 15,000, most of them are small and only about 250 annually can be classified as significant or strong. In modern history, the strongest earthquake was recorded in 1855 near Wellington, with a force of about 8.2 points, the most destructive was the 1931 earthquake in the Napier region, which claimed 256 lives.
Volcanic activity in modern New Zealand is still high and there are 6 active volcanic zones in the country, five of which are located on the North Island. In the area of Lake Taupo, the largest documented volcanic eruption occurred in the history of mankind, presumably in 186 BC. The consequences of the eruption are described in the historical chronicles of places as remote as China and Greece. At the site of the eruption is now the largest freshwater lake in the Pacific region, with an area comparable to the territory of Singapore.
Minerals of New Zealand
New Zealand is located on the border of the Indo-Australian and Pacific seismic rings. The processes of their interaction, including the rapid uplift of mountain ranges and active volcanic activity for two million years, determined the geology of the land mass of the islands.
Despite the variety of natural resources, only deposits of gas, oil, gold, silver, ferruginous sandstone and coal are industrially developed. In addition to the above, there are vast reserves of limestone and clays (including bentonite clay). Aluminum, titanium iron ore, antimony, chromium, copper, zinc, manganese, mercury, tungsten, platinum, heavy spar and a number of other minerals are often found, but their explored industrial reserves are small.
It should be especially noted that all the deposits and all the mining of jade since 1997 have been transferred to the management of the Maori, due to the important historical role that jade products (Maori Pounamu) play in the culture of this people. New Zealand's proven gold reserves are 372 tons. In 2002, gold production was a little less than 10 tons. New Zealand's proven silver reserves are 308 tonnes. In 2002, silver production amounted to almost 29 tons. Proven reserves of ferruginous sandstone amount to 874 million tons. Its commercial production began in the 60s of the XX century. In 2002, production was about 2.4 million tons.
New Zealand's proven natural gas reserves are 68 billion m3. Commercial gas production started in 1970. In 2005, natural gas production in the country amounted to approximately 50 million m3. Oil reserves are approximately 14 million tons, its commercial production began in 1935. Oil production in the country has been declining markedly in recent years. In 2005, oil production in the country amounted to just over 7 million barrels. Coal production, which has steadily increased for many decades, has stabilized in the first decade of the 21st century thanks to programs aimed at reducing the consumption of solid fuels. About a third of the coal mined is exported. Currently, 60 coal mines continue to operate in the country.
Climate of New Zealand
New Zealand's climate varies from warm subtropical in the north of the North Island to cool temperate in the south of the South Island; the mountainous regions are dominated by a harsh alpine climate. A chain of high Southern Alps divides the country in half and, blocking the path to the prevailing westerly winds, divides it into two different climatic zones. The western coast of the South Island is the wettest part of the country; the eastern part, located only 100 kilometers from it, is the driest.
Most of New Zealand has rainfall between 600 and 1600 millimeters per year. They are distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, with the exception of drier summers.
The average annual temperature ranges from +10 ° C in the south to +16 ° C in the north. The coldest month is July and the warmest months are January and February. In northern New Zealand, the differences between winter and summer temperatures are not very significant, but in the south and in the foothills, the difference reaches 14 ° C. In the mountainous regions of the country, with increasing altitude, the temperature drops sharply, by about 0.7 ° C every 100 meters. Auckland, the country's largest city, has an average annual temperature of + 15.1 ° C, with the highest recorded temperature being + 30.5 ° C and the lowest being -2.5 ° C. In the capital of the country, Wellington, the average annual temperature is + 12.8 ° C, the maximum recorded temperature is + 31.1 ° C, the minimum is -1.9 ° C.
The number of hours of sunshine per year is relatively high, especially in areas sheltered from westerly winds. On average in the country, it is at least 2000 hours. Solar radiation is very high in most of the country.
Snowfalls are extremely rare in the coastal regions of the north of the country and in the western part of the South Island, however, in the east and south, this island is prone to snowfall during the winter months. As a rule, such snowfalls are insignificant and of short duration. Night frosts in winter can occur throughout the country.
Rivers and lakes of New Zealand
Due to its special geological and geographical conditions, New Zealand has many rivers and lakes. Most of the rivers are short (less than 50 km), originate in the mountains and quickly descend to the plains, where they slow down. Waikato is the largest river in the country with a length of 425 km. The country also has 33 rivers with a length of more than 100 km and 6 rivers with a length of 51 to 95 km.
In New Zealand, 3,280 lakes with a water surface area of more than 0.001 km2, 229 lakes have a water surface of more than 0.5 km2, and 40 - more than 10 km2. The largest lake in the country is Taupo (area 616 km2), the deepest lake is Waikaremoana (depth - 256 meters) Most of the lakes of the North Island are formed as a result of volcanic activity, and most of the lakes of the South Island are formed by glacial activity.
The average annual volume of renewable water resources according to statistics from 1977-2001 in New Zealand is estimated at 327 km3, which is about 85 m3 / year per capita. In 2001, the resources of river flow and lakes amounted to about 320 km3, glacier resources about 70 km3, atmospheric moisture resources about 400 km3 and groundwater resources were estimated at approximately 613 km3.
The protection and management of water resources and the water supply system for the population and economic facilities in New Zealand is under the jurisdiction of local governments. The cost of the main production assets of the water management complex is estimated at more than NZ $ 1 billion. Centralized water supply systems provide drinking water for about 85% of the country's population. About 77% of the fresh water consumed in the country is used in irrigation systems.
New Zealand soils
In general, the country's soils are relatively poorly fertile and not rich in humus. The most common soil types are: Mountain soil types - constituting about half of the country's territory (of which about 15% are devoid of vegetation). Brown-gray soil types - mainly found in the intermontane plains of the South Island (unproductive for productive agriculture, are used mainly as pastures). Yellow-gray soil types are typical for steppe regions and mixed forests and are used for active farming. Yellow-brown soil types are typical for hilly areas.
Fauna of New Zealand
Long historical isolation and remoteness from other continents have created a unique and in many ways inimitable natural world of the islands of New Zealand, characterized by a large number of endemic plants and birds. About 1000 years ago, before the appearance of permanent human settlements on the islands, mammals were historically completely absent. Exceptions were two species of bats and coastal whales, sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) and fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri).
Simultaneously with the arrival of the first permanent residents, the Polynesians, on the islands, Polynesian rats and dogs appeared. Later, the first European settlers brought pigs, cows, goats, mice and cats. The development of European settlements in the nineteenth century caused the emergence of more and more species of animals in New Zealand.
The appearance of some of them had an extremely negative impact on the flora and fauna of the islands. These animals include rats, cats, ferrets, rabbits (brought into the country for the development of hunting), ermines (brought into the country to control the rabbit population), possums (brought into the country for the development of the fur industry). Having no natural enemies in the surrounding nature, the populations of these animals reached the sizes that pose a threat to agriculture, public health, and put on the brink of extinction the natural representatives of the flora and fauna of New Zealand. Only in recent years, through the efforts of New Zealand's environmental authorities, some of the coastal islands were rid of these animals, which made it possible to hope for the preservation of natural conditions there.
Among the representatives of the fauna of New Zealand, the most famous are the kiwi birds (Apterygiformes), which have become the national symbol of the country. Among the birds, it is also necessary to note kea (Nestor notabilis) (or nestor), kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) (or owl parrot), takahe (Notoronis hochstelteri) (or wingless sultanka). Only in New Zealand are the remains of the giant flightless birds moa (Dinornis), which were exterminated about 500 years ago, and reached a height of 3.5 m. wings up to 3 meters and weighed up to 15 kg. Reptiles found in New Zealand include the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) and the skink (Scincidae).
The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is the only representative of insectivores brought into the country and adapted to the free living conditions in it. There are no snakes in New Zealand, and of the spiders, only katipo (Latrodectus katipo) are poisonous.
Fresh water bodies of the country are home to 29 species of fish, 8 of which are on the verge of extinction. The coastal seas are home to up to 3000 species of fish and other marine life.
Flora of New Zealand
New Zealand Subtropical Forest The flora of New Zealand has about 2,000 plant species, with endemics accounting for at least 70% of this number. The country's forests are divided into two main types - mixed subtropical and evergreen. The forests are dominated by polycarpous (Podocarpus). The thickets of Agathis australis (Agathis australis) and Cypress Dacrydum (Dacrydium cupressinum) have survived, although they sharply decreased during the industrial development of forests.
The artificial forests, which total about 2 million hectares, are mainly cultivated with Radiant Pine (Pinus radiata), introduced to New Zealand in the middle of the 19th century. A radiant pine plantation in the Kaingaroa Forest area has created the world's largest man-made forest.
New Zealand has the largest number of liver mosses of any country. On the territory of the country, there are 606 species of them, 50% of them are endemic. Mosses are widespread, with 523 varieties currently known in New Zealand.
Among about 70 species of forget-me-nots (Myosotis) known in nature, about 30 are endemic to New Zealand. Unlike forget-me-nots in other parts of the world, only two species of these plants in New Zealand are blue - Myosotis antarctica and Myosotis capitata. Of the 187 herb varieties historically found in New Zealand, 157 are endemic.
New Zealand has an unusually large number of ferns for this climate. Cyathea dealbata (also known in the country as the silver fern) is one of the generally accepted national symbols.
Population of New Zealand
As of February 2010, the population of New Zealand is about 4.353 million people. The bulk of the country's population is made up of New Zealanders of European descent, mostly descendants of immigrants from the UK. According to the 2006 census, the total share of the population of European descent is approximately 67.6% of the total population of the country. The indigenous people, the Maori, make up about 14.6% of the population. The next two largest ethnic groups - representatives of Asian and Polynesian peoples make up 9.2% and 6.5% of the country's population, respectively.
The average age of the country's inhabitants is about 36 years. In 2006, more than 500 people over the age of 100 lived in the country. In the same year, the share of the population under the age of 15 was 21.5%.
Population growth in 2007 was 0.95%. The crude birth rate in the same year was 13.61 births per 1,000 people, and the crude death rate was 7.54 deaths per 1,000 people.
Most New Zealanders live permanently (or for a long time) outside the country. The largest New Zealand diaspora lives in Australia (in 2000, the number of New Zealanders living in Australia was about 375,000) and in the UK (in 2001, about 50,000 people, while about 17% of New Zealanders have either British citizenship or the right to it receipt). Traditionally, New Zealanders living outside the country maintain close contact with their homeland, and many of them deservedly become among the outstanding representatives of their country.
According to the 2006 census, the majority of the population, about 56%, professes Christianity (in 2001, this figure was 60%). The most common denominations of Christianity in the country are Anglicanism, Latin Rite Catholicism, Presbyterianism, and Methodism. Followers of Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam make up the next largest religious communities in New Zealand. During the census, about 35% of the country's population did not associate themselves with religion (in 2001, this figure was 30%).
The total number of Maori is 565,329 people. For 15 years (1991-2006), the number of this people in the country has grown by almost 30%. About 47% of them are descendants of mixed marriages (mainly with Europeans). 51% of Maori living in New Zealand are men, 49% are women. Of these, 35% are children under 15 years old. The average age of Maori living in New Zealand is about 23 years. At the same time, the average age of women is slightly more than 24 years, and the average age of the male population is slightly more than 21 years.
About 87% of Maori live on the North Island and about 25% live in Auckland or its suburbs. The largest concentration of representatives of this people is observed on Chatham Island. 23% can communicate fluently in the Maori language. About 25% do not own it at all. About 4% of Maori have a university degree (or higher). About 39% of the total Maori population has a full-time job.
English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages of the country. English is the main language of communication, and 96% of the country's population use it as such. Most of the books, newspapers and magazines are published on it, it also prevails in radio and television broadcasting. The Maori language is the second state language. In 2006, the language of the deaf (New Zealand Sign Language) received the status of the third state language.
The New Zealand dialect of English is close to Australian, but retains the much greater influence of the English language of the southern regions of England. However, it has acquired some of the characteristic features of the Scottish and Irish accents. The pronunciation was influenced by the Maori language and some words of this language entered the everyday communication of the multinational community of the country.
In addition, representatives of another 171 language groups live in the country. The most spoken languages after English and Maori are Samoan, French, Hindi and Chinese. Russian and other Slavic languages are of little use due to the small population for which these languages are native.
Source - http://ru.wikipedia.org/
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